(Saguenay) If they want to get into the good graces of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) during the election campaign, the political parties will have to commit to adopting a law on safe professional/patient ratios once once brought to power.
Posted at 1:36 p.m.
The FIQ presented its demands to the political parties on Saturday, on the eve of the official launch of the election campaign. The union also wants to see the development of places in early childhood education services, commitments in the fight against systemic racism, as well as measures to fight against climate change.
According to the FIQ, the “rapid” adoption of a law on safe ratios would be the most effective structuring measure to encourage nurses to join — or stay — in the public network, in addition to offering working conditions more stimulating for healthcare professionals.
The concept of safe ratios involves guaranteeing at all times the presence of a minimum care team for a group of patients with similar health problems, depending on the care required. This ratio would therefore vary from one setting to another, but it would make it possible to ensure that the care teams have the means to take care of their patients at all times.
The union, which represents 76,000 members, believes that the adoption of such a law would also make it possible to reduce the use of compulsory overtime and would make life easier for nurses in their work-family balance.